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The labarum is also known as the chi rho since these are the Greek letters that make up the symbol. Used in the early Christian church, the labarum was actually one of two different symbols: the chi rho, standing for the first two letters of Christos, or the letters "i" and ax," the initials of lesous Christos (JESUS Christ).

The double Ax, simply as a tool form, has been known throughout the Anatolian and Aegean regions for thousands of years, but is especially famous for its presence in the late Bronze Age (ca. 1600-1450 B.C.E.) shaft graves of Mycenae. Loosely associated with both the legendary Greek AMAZONS and Indo-European goddess cults, the double ax or labrys has today become a symbol used by lesbians, adopted by the rights movement in the 1970s.

Perhaps most famous for her depiction in the nose art of World War II bombers a risky profession where lady luck was no doubt courted she has actually been a part of gambling enterprises and assumed the role of casting fortunes in life in general since the Greek and Roman eras. In tattoo images, as in bomber nose artwork, Lady Luck is usually scantily clad and accompanied by the tools of her trade, such as DICE, CARDS, or a HORSE SHOE.

The ladybug, also called the lady bird BEETLE and even the maiden's beetle, came to be associated with the VIRGIN MARY at some point in the Middle Ages because of its good works in ridding plants of pests hence the use of the word "lady." It is more than likely that tattoos of ladybugs are not representative of religious belief, since there are numerous tattoo images that relate much more directly to Mary. Instead, the ladybug appears sometimes as part of garden scenes or among other colorful and benign insects. It is not unusual to see a ladybug tattoo in isolation as well, likely due to its symmetric, brightly colored, and buttonlike body.

In the Hindu pantheon, Lakshmi (also Laksmi or Sri Laksmi) is the divine and compassionate mother, the wife of VISHNU, one of the primary gods and the protector of the world. The Lotus is nearly always shown either as her seat, her pedestal, or in her hand, reminiscent of how she appeared when she was born from a milky OCEAN. She is invoked by those desiring physical well-being or harmony, partly symbolized by her right-hand gesture (mudra), which bestows blessing. The lotus, planted firmly in the mud beneath the WATER on which it floats, is symbolic of a transcendent and pure state. Lakshmi stands or sits on the lotus as a symbol of spiritual perfection and authority.